Drug eruptions

•  adverse cutaneous drug reactions can mimic almost any clinical reaction involving the
    skin
•  drug eruptions must always be on the differential diagnosis for every patient who
    presents with a skin complaint
•  common and distinctive reaction patterns
                   - urticaria
                   - maculopapular/exanthematous/morbilliform ("measles-like)

     

     

     

     

•  common and distinctive reaction patterns
                   - erythema multiforme (target lesions, mucosal involvement; if severe, may progress
                          to Stevens-Johnson syndrome)

                    

     

•  common and distinctive reaction patterns
                 - fixed drug eruption (localized inflamed plaques that recur at the same body site
                           each time the patient is exposed to the offending systemic drug)